You’ve just settled your child into bed after another exhausting day. The bedroom is cool, the sheets are soft, their pyjamas are clean. You’ve done everything right.
But an hour later, you hear it again that familiar sound of little fingernails against skin. By morning, there’ll be fresh scratches, broken skin, and another day of trying to help their hands heal.
If this sounds painfully familiar, you’re not alone. Thousands of UK parents face this same heartbreaking cycle every single night.
The Night-Time Itch Isn't Your Fault
Your child isn’t scratching more at night because you’ve missed something or because their eczema is getting worse. Night-time itching happens for biological reasons that have nothing to do with your parenting.
When your child lies down, their body temperature rises slightly. Blood flow to the skin increases. And suddenly, those dormant nerve endings wake up screaming for attention. During the day, your child is distracted by play, school, and activities. At night, there’s nothing else to focus on except that maddening itch.
The brain’s impulse control—already developing in young children – completely switches off during sleep. Even the most obedient child will scratch unconsciously all night long.
Why ordinary scratch mitts don’t work for children aged 3-6
Perhaps you’ve already tried cotton gloves or scratch mitts. Most parents have. And most parents discover the same frustrating truth – they simply don’t work for older children.
Cotton gloves offer basic protection, which is fine for babies who can’t pull them off. But children aged three to six are clever, dexterous, and determined. Those gloves are off within minutes. Even if you secure them, cotton does nothing to address the underlying itch. It just stops the scratching temporarily whilst your child feels increasingly frustrated and uncomfortable.
Some parents turn to more extreme solutions. Bandaging hands. Multiple layers of mitts. Even duct tape in moments of desperation. But these create new problems – overheating, moisture buildup, and a child who feels punished for something they can’t control.
How to Stop My Toddler or Child Itching at Night: A Guide for Parents
Eczema gloves that actually heal?
Eczema gloves work differently to everything else you’ve tried. Instead of just covering the hands and hoping for the best, they actively help the skin heal whilst your child sleeps.
Every pair is coated with patented DreamSkin technology. When the gloves touch your child’s skin, this unique coating stimulates dormant moisture receptors, kickstarting the skin’s natural hydration process. Normal gloves are a barrier. DreamSkin gloves are a treatment.
Your child wears them to bed, and whilst they sleep, their skin is actively repairing itself. The itch reduces. The scratch-itch cycle breaks. And everyone finally gets some rest.
This isn’t marketing fluff. DreamSkin technology has been clinically tested, and has helped over 32,000 children across the UK manage their eczema more effectively.
What makes HappySkin gloves different
Let’s be honest about what else is out there, because you’ve probably considered all of them.
Latex or vinyl gloves seem practical. They’re cheap and widely available. But they don’t breathe. Within an hour, your child’s hands are sweating, moisture is trapped against the skin, and the eczema is worse than when you started. Some children also have latex allergies, which can trigger flare-ups.
Standard cotton gloves are soft and comfortable, but they offer no therapeutic benefit whatsoever. They might prevent a bit of scratching damage, but they do nothing to address the itch itself. For children over three, they’re also remarkably easy to remove.
Silk gloves are most recommended by dermatologists. They’re gentle and naturally hypoallergenic. But silk is also delicate, expensive, and completely impractical for active children who need gloves that can withstand washing, playing, and general wear and tear.
Eczema gloves combine the best of everything. They’re made from soft Tencel cotton so they’re comfortable against sensitive skin. They’re coated with DreamSkin technology so they actively heal. And they’re designed specifically for children aged three to six, which means they fit properly, stay on, and work with your child’s lifestyle.
How to use eczema gloves properly
Getting the most from HappySkin eczema clothing isn’t complicated, but there are a few key steps that make all the difference.
Start with clean, calm skin. Before bedtime, give your child a warm bath using a gentle, sensitive-skin bodywash. Avoid anything with harsh chemicals, fragrances, or oils. Pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it. Rubbing creates friction, which triggers more itching.
Apply a small amount of approved moisturiser. This is critical. You need a cream that absorbs into the skin rather than sitting on top of it as a barrier. We recommends our own non-paraffin cream, oat-based lotions, or CeraVe moisturising lotion.
What you absolutely must avoid is anything containing paraffin, petroleum, coconut oil, or shea butter. These create a thick barrier that blocks the DreamSkin technology from reaching the skin and also traps sweat, which makes itching worse overnight.
Let the cream absorb completely before putting on the gloves. This usually takes about five minutes. Make sure the gloves fit snugly but aren’t tight. The sizing for ages three to six allows for growth, but they shouldn’t be so loose that your child can pull them off easily.
Use them consistently every night for at least seven days. Most families see improvement within four to seven days. The itch reduces, scratching decreases, and the skin starts to heal properly. But you need to give the technology time to work.
Beyond gloves: Managing eczema holistically
Eczema gloves work best as part of a broader approach to managing your child’s skin. Keep your child’s bedroom cool overnight – overheating is one of the biggest triggers for night-time itching. Use breathable cotton bedding and avoid synthetic fabrics that trap heat.
HappySkin offers a complete range of therapeutic clothing for children, including eczema pyjamas, eczema leggings, eczema socks, and headmasks. Each piece uses the same DreamSkin technology as the gloves. Many families find that combining gloves with other HappySkin pieces gives the best results.
Reduce scratching during the day by keeping your child’s fingernails short and smooth. Encourage activities that keep hands busy. Teach gentle patting or pressing instead of scratching when the urge strikes.
For comprehensive advice on managing childhood eczema, explore our complete guide.
Common Questions About Eczema Gloves
Absolutely. Whilst most families use them primarily for nighttime, wearing them during the day – especially during known trigger times, can provide extra protection.
Not if you’re using HappySkin gloves. They’re made from breathable Tencel cotton designed to allow moisture to escape, unlike latex or vinyl gloves which trap sweat.
This can happen in the first few nights as your child adjusts. Try introducing the gloves gradually, perhaps starting with just an hour before bed whilst reading stories (Free Downloadable Eczema Story for Children). Most children adapt quickly once they experience the relief from reduced itching.
Regular cotton gloves provide basic scratch protection. HappySkin eczema gloves actively heal the skin using patented DreamSkin technology. It’s the difference between covering up a problem and actually addressing it.
Still have questions? Contact our friendly team for personalised advice on managing your child’s eczema.
References & Citations
- National Eczema Society. (2024). “Why does eczema get worse at night?” Available at: https://eczema.org/
- NHS. (2024). “Atopic eczema in children.” National Health Service. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/
- Cartron, A. et al. (2020). “Efficacy of textile with a medical device impregnated with poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline) for management of atopic dermatitis.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 140(8).
- British Association of Dermatologists. (2024). “Contact dermatitis and latex allergy.” Available at: https://www.bad.org.uk/
- NICE Guidelines. (2024). “Atopic eczema in under 12s: diagnosis and management.” National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. CG57.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For more information about childhood eczema, visit the National Eczema Society or the NHS eczema guidance page.
